Do trees really stay in touch via a 'wood-wide web'? Here's what the evidence says

A new study looked at the many claims made about soil fungi and found some misconceptions.

Emily Magkourilou, PhD Candidate in Soil Ecology, University of Sheffield • conversation
Feb. 13, 2023 • ~8 min

Primates colonised the Arctic during a period of ancient global warming -- their fate offers a lesson as climate change speeds up

Close relatives of primates adapted to life in the High Arctic 52 million years ago – this may offer insight into future changes in the Arctic.

Jason Gilchrist, Ecologist, Edinburgh Napier University • conversation
Jan. 30, 2023 • ~8 min

How tracking technology is transforming our understanding of animal behaviour

Scientists use biologging devices to track animal behaviour – here are four times where it has improved our understanding of nature.

Louise Gentle, Principal Lecturer in Wildlife Conservation, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Jan. 4, 2023 • ~8 min

Arctic Report Card 2022: The Arctic is getting rainier and seasons are shifting, with broad disturbances for people, ecosystems and wildlife

The annual report is also a reminder that what happens in the Arctic affects the rest of the world.

Twila Moon, Deputy Lead Scientist, National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Dec. 13, 2022 • ~9 min

Arctic Report Card 2022: The Arctic is getting rainier and seasons are shifting, with broad disturbances for people, plants and wildlife

The annual report describes the changes underway and the impact they’re having on people and wildlife. It’s also reminder that what happens in the Arctic affects the rest of the world.

Twila Moon, Deputy Lead Scientist, National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Dec. 13, 2022 • ~9 min

Protecting 30% of Earth's surface for nature means thinking about connections near and far

Governments, scientists and conservation groups are working to protect 30% of Earth’s land and water for nature by 2030. Two scientists explain why scale matters for reaching that goal.

Jianguo "Jack" Liu, Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability, Michigan State University • conversation
Dec. 2, 2022 • ~11 min

The study of evolution is fracturing – and that may be a good thing

There is more to evolution than the genes species inherit.

Erik Svensson, Professor (Evolutionary Ecology Unit, Department of Biology), Lund University • conversation
Nov. 9, 2022 • ~8 min

Dung beetle mothers protect their offspring from a warming world by digging deeper

Everyone is feeling the heat these days – even species that develop underground.

Kimberly S. Sheldon, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Nov. 9, 2022 • ~9 min

From radiation to water pollution to cities, humans are now a driver of evolution in the ‘natural’ world – podcast

In this week’s episode of The Conversation Weekly, we speak with three scientists who study the ways plants and animals evolve in a world dominated by humans.

Gemma Ware, Editor and Co-Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
Oct. 27, 2022 • ~6 min

By fact-checking Thoreau's observations at Walden Pond, we showed how old diaries and specimens can inform modern research

Journals, museum collections and other historical sources can provide valuable data for modern ecological studies. But just because a source is old doesn’t make it useful.

Richard B. Primack, Professor of Biology, Boston University • conversation
Oct. 26, 2022 • ~10 min

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